US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV1684

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001684 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD 
NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DRL FOR A/S CRANER; 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; 
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PTER, ASEC, PHUM, CASC, KPAL, IS, GZ, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND MARCH 18, 2004 -- 
(1600 HOURS LOCAL) -- SIX PALESTINIANS INJURED IN GAZA 
 
THIS IS A JOINT MESSAGE FROM EMBASSY TEL AVIV AND CONGEN 
JERUSALEM. 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  (SBU) In Gaza, the IDF ended its operation to search for 
tunnels at 2100 hours March 17.  UNRWA reported that six 
Palestinians were injured in Rafah between 1500 and 2100 
March 17..  The Israeli High Court ordered on March 17 that 
work on the barrier northwest of Jerusalem be postponed 
indefinitely.  No conflict-related deaths or injuries were 
reported in the West Bank during the reporting period.  End 
Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Death: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Nil. 
 
-- Shooting:  Shots were fired at an Israeli car traveling 
north of Ramallah on March 17.  No injuries were reported. 
 
3.  (SBU) SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS/ARRESTS: 
 
-- The Israeli High Court ordered on March 17 that work on 
the separation barrier northwest of Jerusalem be postponed 
indefinitely. 
 
-- Israeli troops arrested 21 Palestinians across the West 
Bank on March 17. 
 
-- Palestinian activists planned a demonstration against the 
separation barrier in Deir Qaddis on March 18. 
 
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GAZA 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths:  Nil. 
 
-- Injuries:  UNRWA reported that an additional six 
Palestinians were injured during the reporting period during 
an IDF action to search for tunnels in Rafah that began early 
on March 17.  UNRWA reported that the incursion ended at 2100 
hours March 17, when IDF forces withdrew. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets/Hand Grenades:  The IDF reported that a 
mortar was fired at an IDF outpost near Katif village at 2130 
hours March 17.  The IDF also reported that an explosive 
device was found southeast of an IDF outpost west of Rafah at 
approximately 1600 hours March 17. 
 
-- Shootings:  The IDF reported three shootings at IDF 
soldiers and APCs during the reporting period. 
 
-- Explosions:  Nil. 
 
5.  (SBU) ARRESTS:  Nil. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open for Palestinians. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open to Palestinians.  Diplomats in 
vehicles and internationals on foot were allowed to cross on 
March 17.  The Erez Industrial Zone was open, with 3,769 
workers entering the Zone on March 17. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed during the reporting period. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open during the reporting period for 
the import and export of goods into the Gaza Strip. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for Palestinian travelers. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint and Toufah checkpoint were 
closed, according to UNRWA. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
According to the major Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth, 
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz has ordered a halt to 
the transportation of containers through the Karni Terminal 
to Israel after a container with a secret compartment was 
found at Ashdod port March 17.  Israeli officials believe the 
container, which passed through the Karni Terminal, was used 
to transport the two Palestinian suicide bombers who killed 
ten Israelis at the port on Sunday, March 14. 
 
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Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
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KURTZER